HL Deb 22 November 1954 vol 189 cc1722-3

Clause 12, page 12, line 29, at end insert— ("(2) Where, apart from this subsection, the council of a non-county borough or urban district would become the food and drugs authority for that borough or district in consequence of the publication of any census, and the Minister of Health is satisfied, upon application made by the council of the county in which the borough or district is comprised, that the area or areas in respect of which the last mentioned council would in that event be the food and drugs authority are inconvenient in size, shape or situation for the efficient performance of their duties as such, he may direct that the council of the county shall, so long as the directions remain in force, continue to be the food and drugs authority for the borough or district.")

VISCOUNT WOOLTON

My Lords, the next few Amendments are privilege Amendments. They restore to the Bill, subject to a change in Clause 12 and one drafting Amendment in Clause 13, provisions included in the Bill as it was introduced into your Lordships' House but removed in order to avoid the question of privilege. A provision is being introduced into subsection (4) of Clause 12 which will enable the needs of rapidly expanding districts to be considered exceptionally and, if examination of the merits suggest it to be desirable, permit the Minister to anticipate the publication of the next census. This Amendment does this without upsetting the basic provision that councils of districts whose population is less than 20,000 shall not be food and drug authorities, and its effect will be that once an interim direction has been given it will continue in force notwithstanding fluctuations in the subsequent annual estimates of population until the publication of the next regular census. I do not think I need worry the House with any further explanation. I beg to move that the House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Viscount Woolton.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.